Chapter 7 B 55 vouchers Ian's voice was firm . " If you've calmed down , then we can talk properly . " But Chloe was utterly devastated , barely able to move or respond . She lay with her eyes closed , drained of all strength . Ian hesitated , then stood up to clean the bathroom . They had argued before , but Chloe had never thrown things in anger . She never even waited for him to calm her down . Once she cooled off , she always came to him first to make things right . Deep down , he believed , ' She just loves me too much . I missed our third anniversary , and now she's so upset that she won't even accept the gift I brought to make it up to her . After showering and changing into pajamas , Ian went downstairs and brought a bowl of broth back to the bedroom . He placed it on the nightstand and gently tried to wake Chloe . " Come on , sit up and have some of this . " Chloe rolled over , turning her back to him . Ian sat on the edge of the bed , pulled her up firmly against his chest , and said , " Be good and finish the broth . Do that , and I'll let go of you faking a faint and complaining to my mother . " Chloe's voice was hoarse , her expression numb , " Ian , " she asked quietly , " if I died , would you still think I was faking it ? " Before her family went bankrupt , she had indeed been willful and spoiled . But after three years of marriage to lan , she was no longer the same Irvine princess she once was . Ian turned her to face him , his gaze steady and uncompromising . " It seems you're still not calm enough , " he said , his voice low and controlled . Chloe met his gaze , her eyes tired but unwavering . " I can't stay calm when I'm with you , " she replied . Ian released her and stood up . " If that's how you feel , I'll stay somewhere else for a few days ," he said flatly . " We can talk when you're ready to be reasonable . " With that , he turned and went to the walk - in closet to change . A few minutes later , he emerged , fully dressed and ready to leave . Ian paused at the foot of the bed , standing in silence for a long moment . Seeing Chloe still lying there , motionless and drained of spirit , he turned and left without a backward glance , leaving her alone to drown in the weight of her despair . ** The next morning , Mia came to see Chloe , who still hadn't gotten out of bed . Feeling sorry for her but not daring to say too much , Mia helped her up , joined her for breakfast , and took her out for a walk . Ian had always been strict with Mia . If she dared to gossip , Mia knew he wouldn't hesitate to cut off her allowance . The fresh air lifted Chloe's spirits a little . Mia led her into the Hamilton luxury mall . " Chloe , " she asked cautiously , " have you said anything to lan about that woman yet ? " Chloe felt a wave of exhaustion at the very thought . " Mia , I'm in a terrible state right now ," she said quietly . " I need some time to clear my head and think straight ." If I tell Mia that I want to divorce lan , her big mouth will make the whole Hamilton family know it in minutes . And if they find out , my parents will hear about it too . Mom's still in the hospital . Lcan't cause any more trouble right now , Chloe thought . Mia quickly changed the subject . " It's okay , Chloe . Let's go shopping in our mall , You can pick out anything you want , and Ian will cover it . " Chloe nodded numbly . She had lost all interest in everything , let alone shopping . When they reached the mall entrance , a security guard stepped forward and stopped them . " I'm sorry , ladies , but the mall has been privately booked for the day ," he explained politely but firmly . " It's closed to the public . " Mia was stunned . " Who in Kingsford would dare to book our family's top luxury mall ? " she demanded , her voice a mix of disbelief and irritation . Chloe gently pulled her back . " Just leave it , Mia . We can walk somewhere else . It's all the same to me . " She had only come out for some fresh air . Shopping was the last thing on her mind . But Mia refused to back down . " Go and find out who booked the entire mall , " she insisted , her tone growing more defiant . " I want to know who's behind this . " 1/3 T Chapter 7 55 vouchers The guard , taking in their elegant appearance , chose his words carefully . " I'm sorry , ladies , but we're not authorized to share that information ." Mia fixed the guards with a sharp glare . " This mall belongs to Hamilton Group , " she stated coldly . " I am Mia Hamilton . If you continue to block us , I will have you fired immediately . " Intimidated , the guards quickly stepped aside . Seizing the opportunity , Mia pulled Chloe inside and guided her toward the elevator . " Come on , Chloe ," she urged , " let's go up to the third floor . They have the best shoes there . " As they stepped off the elevator , they froze . There was Ian , kneeling before a woman , helping her try on a pair of shoes . The woman's head was bowed , long hair obscuring half her face , but the gentle , attentive way Ian fastened her shoelaces left no room for doubt . Chloe clutched her chest , her already pale face turning ashen . She knew the only woman Ian would ever kneel for is Andrea . ' So when he said he'd stay somewhere else , it was just to stay with her . In three years of marriage , Chloe had always been the one serving Ian , trying to please him . He had never done anything as considerate as helping her put on shoes . He hadn't even once handed her a pair of slippers . The sight before her now was so shocking that it left her frozen , utterly stunned . Mia rushed forward to steady Chloe , who was swaying unsteadily . Mia's anger was so intense that her teeth were grinding together . Chloe grabbed Mia's arm and turned to leave . She couldn't afford to make a scene , not with her parents still in the hospital , and not when she still felt compelled to protect lan's reputation . But Mia had finally reached her limit . ' We saw this by accident . I didn't go spreading rumors . He has no right to cut my allowance now ! She shoved Chloe's hand away and swung her handbag hard toward the woman . " You bitch ! " she screamed , charging straight at Andrea . Chloe rushed to hold her back . Ian moved swiftly . Before Mia could get to Andrea , he pulled her into a fitting room and locked the door . He turned to Chloe , his eyes showing no guilt , only cold accusation . " Were you following me ? " Chloe's lips trembled . Her gaze , filled with hurt , met his . " Ian , you're supposed to be at work right now , " she said . Yet there he was , having booked the entire mall for his first love , even kneeling to help her put on the shoes . Ian still offered no explanation . " Take Mia home first , " he said . He stood firmly in front of the fitting room door , deliberately blocking Chloe's path . Mia could no longer contain her fury . " Ian , get out of my way ," she said , her voice shaking with rage . " Let that home - wrecker come out and face me . Right now ! " Ian pushed Mia back firmly . " Enough ," he said , his voice low and dangerous . Then he shot her a sharp warning look . " Take Chloe home now . " Mia was seething with anger . " Ian , after everything Chloe has done for you , how can you treat her like this ? " she demanded , her voice trembling with emotion . lan's jaw tightened . Seeing that reasoning with Mia was pointless , he turned back to Chloe . " Chloe , leave with Mia now . We'll discuss this tonight when I get home ." Chloe's vision was blurry with unshed tears , but she stared fixedly at Ian . " Since we've run into each other like this , let me meet her , " she said , her voice quiet but unwavering . lan's response was cold and immediate . " There's no need for that , " he said , his tone leaving no room for discussion . He didn't even glance toward the fitting room , his attention fixed solely on Chloe . Chloe held her ground , " And what if I insist on meeting her ? " she asked , looking directly into his eyes . " What will you do then ? " Jan spoke slowly , each word deliberately sharp . " Will you leave on your own ? Or do I need to call security to have you escorted out ? The choice is yours . " Their eyes locked in a tense silence . Tears of despair streamed down Chloe's face . " Fine ," she whispered bitterly . " I'd love to see what youll do to me for your precious woman , Mr lan's voice lowered , thick with impatience and deliberate . " Walk away now , for your own sake . " 2/3 " Chloe , don't make me regret ever marrying you , " he said , each word cold and Chapter 7 B 55 vouchers Chloe stared blankly at his face , biting her lower lip until she tasted blood . Regret ? He must have regretted it long ago . The next second , she turned and fled , humiliated , broken , and utterly pathetic . Ian watched her desperate retreat , an unfamiliar tightness gripping his chest . Mia burst into angry tears . " Ian , if Chloe ever really leaves you , I'll throw a city - wide party to celebrate , " she shouted bitterly before running off after Chloe . Ian stood silently by the fitting room door for over a minute before finally unlocking it . Andrea stepped out , taken aback by his grim expression . " Ian , " she said guiltily , " why wouldn't you let me meet your wife ? The more you hide this , the more she'll misunderstand us ." Ian rubbed his temples wearily . " She has a quick temper , and Mia is even more impulsive , " he explained , his voice heavy with exhaustion . " I was worried they might do something that would hurt you . " AD